22 MONTHS and 33 WEEKS

It seems that both KJ and I are growing, growing, growing. Too bad for me, he is still getting taller, I am just getting wider.

The little fella is not only physically bigger by the day, but he is acting more and more independent. He started to sleep in his full, big boy bed on January 31st and hasn't looked back. Naps start with him getting down to play with some toys and read a book or two, but for the most part, he stays in bed and actually rests. Bedtime is freakishly routine already- bed around 8pm, a couple of whimpers and silence.

Playing in the snow. KJ helped his daddy fix the snowblower, so he naturally thinks it is his now.

He is also moving toward being potty trained. He will use the potty with the promise of an M&M a few times a day and recently started to tell me that he has gone the bathroom in his diaper. I am going to keep working on him, but I am hopeful that we will be most of the way to trained shortly after the new baby arrives. I have no desire to change two sets of diapers for a long time.

My 25 minutes of peace. KJ will always go for mama's bed and Handy Manny. Fine by me.

As for the second one, this pregnancy has been good, but a lot more tiring than KJ's. I guess the addition of a toddler to the mix doesn't give much time for rest. The baby is a mover and a shaker, and is stretching my stomach with feet, heels, knees, everything. According to my last doctor's appointment, I am measuring on time, which is good because I measured small with KJ. I am hoping that it means I will deliver on schedule. Although the chaos with two might be overwhelming, I have a feeling I will be more than ready from a physical standpoint by April 5th.

This picture is at 28 weeks, but I love that KJ couldn't have a picture without him. Stepped right in and said cheese.

A YEAR IN REVIEW: 2009

Rather than print pictures for everything we do each year, I create an annual digital photo book with a couple of pages per event to document our travels and family fun. Amazingly, Kurt and I already have a library of books from the past 5 years.

2009 is finished and I am awaiting the printed book. It is so exciting to open up the package and check out the finished project. Check out the book...

Click here to view this photo book larger

FUN HOLIDAY SEASON

We really enjoyed our time over the holiday with KJ. It was especially fun to watch him open presents and talk about Santa, Baby Jesus and the tools he was hoping to get. Well, he was not disappointed.

A few pictures from Christmas morning. Once KJ saw his workbench, he could have cared less about the other gifts that were still wrapped. Thanks, Santa!



On Christmas Eve we headed to mass at St. Clement's and then over to Kurt's mom's house for the Schuster Christmas. KJ was hamming it up. I think he knew presents were coming.



After opening gifts at our house on the 25th, we traveled to Kalamazoo to spend some time with my family and celebrate Nordquist Christmas. KJ got into the annual college t-shirt tradition, had an awesome time sledding with Daddy, Mimi and Papa and had to take a picture with Papa's new Santa that he got him for a present. Thanks to Kurt and Brad for making sure the Santa was blown up and outside!

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Apparantly the closet in the guest bedroom wasn't the best place to put unwrapped Christmas presents. I walked upstairs to see the little man and...

VISITING THE BIG GUY IN THE RED SUIT

We went to visit Santa Claus last weekend in Troy, Michigan and KJ did really well. He needed a little help telling Santa that he wanted an airplane and tools, but after some convincing with a candy cane, we got him to sit on his lap without a ton of crying.

After sitting with Santa, we went to the ornament shop and got an airplane ornament to commemorate our trip since KJ is obsessed with planes lately. He points to it every night when the Christmas tree lights start to glow.

It was amazing to see how much more excited he was this year than last. He was still a bit weary of the big guy, but handled it like a champion.

IT'S TIME TO VOTE...

Kurt and I went took a trip to the ultrasound tech this morning and got our first look at the little one. One of the two appointments that Kurt must attend. The baby was incredibly active, which is always a blessed sign with the family history, and we got a few good pictures when it took the time to relax.

Contrary to my opinion, there was only one baby in my belly. We decide to go the surprise route with our kids, so we did not find out the sex. KJ was a good surprise. Time to vote, boy or girl?

Cool picture because you can see the 4 chambers of the heart in the center of the body and the two black dots that are above and below the word "body" are the baby's kidneys...and of course the cute little face.

Another profile picture.

The baby's little body, butt and leg in the air, ready to give me a swift kick.

The little foot that will soon be pressing on my bladder. So precious until I am peeing every 1o minutes.

TRICK-OR-TREATING FUN

Trick or treating was awesome. KJ went around the neighborhood with his Dad and Uncle Jay while I stayed at home with Katrina to pass out candy. I was able to walk to a few houses with KJ, Kurt and Katrina, after the boys stopped at home for a short break to unload KJ's booty and have a sucker.

All of the practice that we did to prep for trick or treating was worth it. KJ happily took his bucket up to house after house to say trick or treat and thank you once he put the candy in his pail. He started at 6:00 and we had to drag him into the house at 7:15 so he didn't freeze.

We got 1 pic with the hat & makeup. Taken off by KJ.
The wagon was a Godsend for KJ , beer for daddy.

KJ threw his pumpkin more than he appreciated it.